At a Glance
- Tasks: Support project controls and deliver high-quality project management services.
- Company: AWE, a leader in national security programmes with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, competitive salary, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK’s national security while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Graduate-level qualification or equivalent experience with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 59350 £ per year.
At AWE, we are transforming how we deliver our Mission-Critical Programmes, and our Project, Programme & Portfolio (P3M) function is growing. We are looking for a Project Controls Practitioner who can bring professionalism, discipline, and energy to the delivery of enterprise-wide project controls, offering the chance to contribute to different areas of our work, all united by one purpose: ensuring AWE delivers on the UK’s national security mission.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: Salary from £39,500 - £59,350 (depending on suitability, qualifications, and experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Closing Date: 30th November 2026
Let us introduce the role: As a Project Controls Practitioner, you will support the implementation of P3M and enterprise-wide cost project controls. You’ll work with Task Managers to provide a credible, high-quality project controls service, ensuring that projects and programmes are delivered using accurate, timely, and reliable controls information.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Maintain accurate cost and planning data within AWE systems
- Prepare monthly project reports aligned to business rhythm
- Support creation of cost forecasts, estimates, schedules, bases of estimate/schedule
- Assist with risk management and cost modelling
- Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders
- Review technical, engineering, and supply-chain artefacts
- Deliver project control artefacts in line with AWE procedures and guidelines
- Assure the quality of project controls outputs
- Support continuous improvement of P3M capability
- Uphold high personal standards in Safety, Security, Environment & Quality
Whilst not a checklist, a Project Controls Practitioner should demonstrate:
- Graduate-level qualification or equivalent experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Good organisation, attention to detail, and commitment to quality
- Competence with MS Office tools
- Awareness of Project Controls concepts (planning, cost engineering, estimating, risk)
- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail
Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:
- 9-day working fortnight – every other Friday off, plus 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market-leading contributory pension scheme (we pay between 9% and 13% depending on your contributions).
- Family-friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 Weeks Full Pay; Paternity Leave – 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Professional career development opportunities, including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts on everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy, including paid time off for volunteering, public service, and caring.
For full details, visit the ‘Working at AWE’ page on our website and check out the AWE Benefits Guide.
Next steps: Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.
- The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process. Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Project Controls Practitioner in Reading employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment Plc
Atomic Weapons Establishment Plc provides a supportive work culture that values flexibility and employee well-being. With competitive salaries and the chance to contribute to significant national security projects, it stands out as an employer of choice in the engineering sector.
Contact Details:
Atomic Weapons Establishment Plc Recruitment Team
